Permira, which is making its first acquisition in the UK television market, has backed the management team in a bid to buy the production company from its current owners private equity firm Bridgepoint Capital, which paid 拢45m for the production house in 2003.
All3Media, which is also behind ITV1's detective drama 'Midsomer Murders', is headed by former Granada chief executive Steve Morrison, who will continue to run the company.
Permira beat DLJ Merchant Banking Partners, the private equity arm of investment bankers Credit Suisse, as part of a final shortlist to clinch the deal with the management buyout team.
The original shortlist of six investors interested in buying the production company included Apax Partners and Providence, the venture capitalist.
Permira has recently shown an interest in acquiring media properties, including radio network GCap Media.
The investor has also been linked with a possible bid for terrestrial broadcaster ITV, which could be tabled within a matter of months, according to reports.
In June 2005, All3Media snapped up 'Hollyoaks' and 'Grange Hill' producer Mersey Television in a deal reported to be worth 拢35m from chairman Phil Redmond, who had put the business up for sale earlier that year.
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